Sooners Softball Rolls in Season Opener, 11-2
TEMPE, Ariz. – The University of Oklahoma softball team opened the 2011 season Thursday evening with an 11-2 win over Cal State Bakersfield at the Kajikawa Classic. Oklahoma scored six runs in the second and five in the third to move to 14-3 in season openers under head coach Patty Gasso.
OU starter Keilani Ricketts got her first win of the year, pitching 3.2 innings and allowing just one walk while striking out three. Ricketts gave way to Allee Allen who pitched the final 1.1 innings. Allen gave up the Roadrunners’ only runs of the night.
The Sooners opened the flood gates with a leadoff double from Katie Norris in the second. Ricketts’ single up the middle scored runner Javen Henson and Ricketts then scored on a triple down the right field line by Brittany Williams. After a walk and stolen base from Dani Dobbs, Williams scored on a Chana’e Jones single. Jones tacked on another OU run to push the lead to 4-0. Brianna Turang then scored on Haley Nix’s first home run of the year, a blast to right center.
Oklahoma continued the barrage in the third. Henson walked to lead off the inning and advanced on Ricketts’ second single of the night. Pinch runner Cierra Hughes advanced to second to load the bases after Williams’ walk. Henson then scored after Dobbs reached on an error and Hughes and Williams scored on Jones’ double to right center. Dobbs crossed the plate on a groundout by Destinee Martinez and Jones scored on a wild pitch to put the Sooners up 11-0.
Bakersfield got on the board in the fifth with a two-run home run by Amy Ricciardi.
Ricketts got the win the circle and finished 2-for-2 at the plate. Jones also went 2-for-2. Turang ended the night 2-for-3. Nix’s only hit of the night was the two-run shot. In addition to pitching, Allen recorded her first career collegiate at-bat, drawing a walk in the fourth inning. Every position player on the roster saw action in the contest.
Ricciardi’s home run was the only hit for the Roadrunners. Sarah Hoag picked up the loss in the circle, pitching 2.0 innings and allowing seven earned runs on seven hits.
Updated 02-11-2011
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